LONDON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - British police and regulators raided a slaughterhouse and a meat processor on Tuesday suspected of selling horsemeat as beef, expanding a Europe-wide scandal that has shocked consumers and exposed flawed food safety controls.

In Paris, French prosecutors opened a preliminary judicial investigation to determine whether fraud was committed in the growing scandal.

The prosecutor's office said a judicial inquiry had been opened in the northeastern city of Metz on Monday, but subsequently it was transferred to Paris, where national issues of food security are investigated.

In Britain, the raids on companies were the first by officials investigating horsemeat supplies in a country where the issue has angered consumers and led to several big retailers pulling contaminated products from their shelves.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today confirms that Findus beef lasagne products identified in the UK which tested positive for up to 100% horse meat have been on sale in Ireland. The FSAI has been in contact with Findus since last night to establish which retailers had been supplied this product. Tesco withdrew this product from Irish shelves on Wednesday of this week, but did not notify the FSAI. The FSAI is contacting the retail trade today to ensure this product is withdrawn from sale. The FSAI is advising Irish consumers to check if they have purchased this product and if they have, not to eat it, but to return it to the point of purchase.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has asked gardaí to join the investigation into the presence of horse DNA in beef products at Irish factories.

The request follows the latest test results and the facts previously uncovered at Silvercrest Foods. Mr Coveney said that Rangeland Foods last Thursday notified his department of its use of Polish meat ingredients in some burger products. The company, which produces beef burgers, has suspended production.

A Tyrone-based company has been named as the supplier of halal food containing traces of pork DNA for use in British prisons.

The British Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has suspended 3663 — a supplier of meat to prisons — after discovering that food products may contain traces of non-Halal meat, despite being sourced from McColgan Quality Foods Limited , which is a properly Halal-certified supplier.

3663 have said they are “shocked” and described as “wholly unacceptable” that some of the Halal products they supplied were found to contain pork DNA due to McColgan Quality Foods being accredited by the Halal Food Authority.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has said that horse DNA has been found in some beef burger products on sale in supermarkets. The meat came from two processing plants in Ireland, Liffey Meats and Silvercrest Foods, as well as the Dalepak Hambleton plant in the UK. The burgers were on sale in Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Aldi, Lidl and Iceland.

A total of 27 products were analysed, with ten of them containing horse DNA, while 23 of them tested positive for pig DNA. Horse meat accounted for approximately 29% of the meat content in one sample from Tesco.

The FSAI said that the findings do not pose a risk to public health. However, it said that it raises concerns about the traceability of meat ingredients. Retailers have said they are now removing all implicated batches of the beef burgers.

CORK’S Franciscan Well brewery will soon start exporting their beers and stouts all over the world after they were bought by international brewer Molson Coors.A new brewery, employing 10 people, will be built in the Cork Docklands to expand production from 4,000 kegs to 150,000 kegs each year.The Franciscan Well brewery and bar, located on the North Mall, will continue to operate as it currently does.It was started in 1998 and some of its popular products include Friar Weisse, Shandon Stout, Blarney Blonde, Rebel Red and Rebel Lager.The new Cork brewery is expected to be operational later this year.The Franciscan Well range is currently available in Cork, Galway and Dublin but the new brewery will allow their beers to be exported and sold in the UK, Canada and the US where there is strong demand for Irish beers.Shane Long, one of the founders of the Franciscan Well, said they were over the moon with the deal and looked forward to expanding their operations.“It was very important that the new brewery would be based in Cork as we didn’t want to go anywhere else,” he said.“The Rebel Red and Shandon Stout will be the first that will be exported and it highlights the popularity of craft beers. We have been around for the past 15 years but in the last two years we have seen a huge upsurge in demand,” he said.Molson Coors said they expect the volume of craft beer sales to increase ten fold by 2017, from 24 million to approximately 235 million. Mr Long said they would continue to experiment with new products and seasonal versions of their existing beers.

Drinkaware.ie and Insomnia Collaborate to Offer Half Price Coffee in January

This January, drinkaware.ie and Insomnia Coffee Co. are offering you half-price coffees to help you pace your drinking!

We've partnered up with Insomnia to help you pace yourself and make the most of your evenings out. Just present the voucher, which can be printed here, at any Insomnia or Insomnia Barista @ Spar store after 4pm, and you'll get 50% off a coffee of your choice.

January is a time when many people resolve to drink at a more moderate level," said Fionnuala Sheehan, chief executive of Drinkaware.ie.

Innocent Drinks will be popping up its headquarters located at 2 Chatham Row, Dublin 2 from Wednesday, 9 January until Friday, 18 January.

Consumers are being invited to pop in during those days and grab an Innocent Smoothie. All they have to do is tweet or write a Facebook post pledging to do something good or they can cycle on the goodness bicycle.

The goodness message will encapsulate an act of goodness they want to do followed by #innocentgoodness. This can be as simple as a pledge to smile at a stranger or park the car and hop on the bike.

Food and drink exports have topped €9bn for the first time, up 2pc on 2011, with exports to Asia up 75pc since 2010, according to figures for 2012 released today by Bord Bia.

“Despite falling global commodity prices, lower output in some sectors and the continued weakness in consumer spending in established markets, the Irish food industry has delivered another robust export performance,” said Aidan Cotter, chief executive, Bord Bia.

“The continued diversification into new and emerging markets, benefitting further from favourable exchange rates, should be welcomed.”

Kerry Group and Dermot Desmond among winners at B & F Awards for Irish Businesses

Glenilen Farm, Kerry Group, Dr Pearse Lyons, Dermot Desmond and Duncan Niederauer were all honoured on the night to fhte 18th of December 2012 at the 38th Business & Finance Awards for Irish Business, which were attended by 800 guests at the Convention Centre Dublin last night.

Glenilen Farm won the Enterprise of the Year (New Business Category) award, while Ventisys was given a special recognition award. The other shortlisted companies in the category were Island Shipping, Sky Frame Builders and Voya.

Tralee-headquartered Kerry Group, which employs 24,000 people around the world and generates annual revenues of €5.3bn, was named Company of the Year. Other shortlisted companies for this award were Aer Lingus, First Derivatives, Openet, Paddy Power, PCH International, Providence Resources plc and Smurfit Kappa Group.

Agri Food Exporters Brace Themselves for 30% Increase in Shipping Costs in January

Agri-food exporters brace themselves for a 30% shipping cost increase in January as cartel of deep sea shipping lines plan to force through the dramatic price rise.

The major deep sea shipping companies, led by Maersk Line who handle an estimated 40% of Irish agri-food and fish exports to non EU countries, have notified their Irish customers that they will apply a $1,500 per container price increase as of the 1st January 2013. This is an approximate 30% increase on the current rates for a 40 foot refrigerated container to Asia, and an approximate 50% increase in rates to Africa.John Whelan, chief executive of the IEA, stated ’’This will impact heavily on all Irish agri-food and fish exporters, who use these shipping lines for exports outside the EU and will add an estimated 10% to their export costs. This is not an increase that can be passed on and will inevitably lead to lost export sales’’.

Total Produce plc is to buy 65pc of Grandview Ventures Limited which trades as the Oppenheimer Group, in two stages for a total price of up to €32m.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, the Oppenheimer Group provides fresh fruit and vegetable produce to its retail, wholesale and foodservice customers throughout the United States and Canada. The group has a network of growers around the world and operates from a number of locations throughout North America.

It had sales of CDN$525m (€410m) in 2011, had operating profits on an adjusted basis of CDN$11m (€8.6m) before minorities and will have net assets of approximately CDN$20m (€15.6m) at completion.

In January 2013, Total Produce will acquire a 35pc shareholding for an initial cash payment of CDN$15m (€11.7m). An additional consideration for these shares will be made in 2015 if certain profit targets are met. A further 30pc shareholding will be purchased in 2017 for a price that will be determined based on future profits.

The newly Refurbished Teagasc Office in Ennis, County Clare was officially opened on Thursday, 6 December, by Fr Harry Bohan. Speaking at the event Fr Harry Bohan stressed the importance of farming in the life and economy of County Clare.

He said: “The family farm and community are at the very core of rural life in County Clare. In recent years, there has been a recovery of our deep connection with the land. The need to balance global and local is paramount. We must balance large scale agribusiness with small producers. Sustainability is the new buzzword. “

He praised the Teagasc Advisory Service in County Clare for their sterling work over the years. “In the opening of this refurbished facility, Teagasc has renewed its commitment to farming and rural development. Teagasc are in a privileged position. They must pioneer new and innovative ways of income generation.”

Clonakilty Blackpudding Co has reported a 67pc increase in exports to the UK for this year, growing from 1.5 tonnes to 2.5 tonnes of product exported weekly.

It recently secured a supplier agreement with Tesco resulting in the Clonakilty black pudding product now being available across 340 stores in England and Wales.

The Cork company now supplies over 600 stores across the UK including household retail names such as Budgens, ASDA, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges as well as a range of butchers, farm shops and independent stores.

Former chief financial officer of Independent News & Media (INM) Donal Buggy has been appointed group finance director at the Irish Dairy Board, replacing Cathal Fitzgerald who decided to step down at year end.

A chartered accountant by profession, Buggy joined INM as group financial controller in 1996 and in 2002 he was appointed to the group chief financial officer position, joining the group’s board and executive committee.

The Export Industry Awards took place on friday night last, the 23rd of November, in O'Reilly Hall, UCD. The evening was presented by Brian Dobson and was attended by Minister Richard Bruton. The evening was a great success with just under 500 people attending.

Sector Category Winners

The Irish Exporters Association’s Export Industry Awards are broken down into a number of key sector categories. The winners in each category then go forward for the Exporter of the Year Award. Following are the nominees and winners from the food and drinks sector sector.

McEvoy Family Foods Ltd has exited examinership following an investment of E420,000 in the business by Glanbia Consumer Foods, a member of the IEA.The company is now a subsidiary of Glanbia Consumer Foods, but will continue to trade under its existing name, with Gary and Jane McEvoy continuing to run the company.Gary McEvoy will continue to lead the business, while Jane McEvoy will focus on developing a new brand of children's foods - Harry's Little World.Glanbia has invested in McEvoy Family Foods as it reflects its new chilled food strategy of developing artisan food brands, the company said."The company recognises the importance of family businesses for the Irish food industry and as a result is keen to support the McEvoy Family in developing their business."

Kerry Group is investing €100m in a global technology and innovation centre in Ireland, which will create 800 jobs directly, as well as 400 immediate construction jobs. Part-funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland, the new flagship centre will provide strategic customers with access to the group’s technologies, scientific research; innovation and applications expertise across food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets.Located on a 28 acre site in the Millennium Business Park, Naas Kerry Group’s new campus will accommodate 800 people in 2015 and a further 100 positions when fully commissioned by mid-2016.The new Kerry Global Technology & Innovation Centre will also include Kerry Ingredients & Flavours global and EMEA regional management, 1 Kerry Global Business Services and support functions. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine had a central involvement in supporting this investment.Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD said this was "perhaps the most significant investment ever in the Irish agri-food industry".“Kerry Group is Ireland’s largest agri-food and food innovation company. They employ 24,000 people around the world.

Media Release

Irish Exporters Association

Media Release

Embargo 25th September 2012

New product development support programme (NPD) for the Food and Drink Industry - Irish Exporters Association says it will help maintain competitiveness and jobs

The Irish Exporters Association has collaborated with Bord Bia to create a fresh new approach to new product development (NPD) for the food and drink industry. The programme, entitled Food Chains for Competitive Advantage, was launched today (25th September) at the RDS SHOP Exhibition by Bernard Coyle, Chairman of the Irish Exporters Association Food and Drink Council and Michael Murphy, Director of Markets, Bord Bia.

This year, Fingal Enterprise Week is bigger and better than ever! The Week is crammed with opportunities for businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs and most events are completely free of charge to attend. Fingal Enterprise Week is supported by Fingal County Council and Bank of Ireland. In addition, many businesses, organizations and individuals are contributing vast expertise, hosting events and helping in many ways.

Chairman of Insomnia Bobby Kerr has just returned from a business trip to India where he gained some valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges that exist there.

Arranged by the Irish Exporters Association in conjunction with the Federation of Indian Exporters, the trip involved 40 Irish companies going to Mumbai and meeting with 70 Indian companies, as well as state bodies.

“My primary reason for going to Mumbai was to look at the opportunities there for Insomnia as the retail coffee market is starting to gain legs in India. There were a number of people interested in talking to me, including a major restaurant owner. I went out to look, rather than sign anything, but I got very positive feedback.

The fourth annual Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards have been launched with a closing date for applications of 3 December 2012.

Companies can enter in one of six categories in the 2013 awards: agri-food innovation; life sciences innovation; greentech innovation; business services innovation; social innovation; creative industries innovation.

A carlow based food entrepreneur who only started up her business last year, has won a Great Taste Awards 2012 gold star.

Julie Moore of The Store Cupboard, Rathwood won the prestigious award for her raspberry across Ireland and Britain. Julie only opened her shop, The Store Cupboard, last November and when not working in the shop she can be found cooking her produce in small batches, as small as 12 pots at a time, in her home.

The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has published a new report, Beverage Exports 2000-2011, by Anthony Foley of Dublin City University Business School, detailing the value of Irish alcohol drinks exports at over €1 billion.

The report shows that the impact of beverage exports on the domestic economy far outweighs other products manufactured in Ireland for international markets, due to the high level of locally sourced inputs. The report also shows that while the United Kingdom and North America continue to be the main markets for Irish beverages overseas, that there is major potential for additional sales to China, India and other major emerging markets.

Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII), the IBEC group that represents the food sector, today said it was very disappointed with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's (BAI) new draft Code on Advertising to Children. The group said the draft code was based on flawed science, would have little impact on childhood obesity rates and was a threat to our international reputation as a food island.

McDonald's and Dawn have today (Wednesday) announced a €300m beef contract that will see 18,000 tonnes of Irish beef processed in a new purpose-built value-added facility at Dawn's Carroll's Cross facility in Waterford. The beef products will not just be for McDonald's Irish restaurants, but across Europe.

Truly Irish Country Foods were announced on Radio 1 as the winners of Vard Partnerships Brand Bursary Award worth 10K of brand packaging. 70 deserving companies had entered the competition but it was Truly Irish, a farmer co-op, who shone through.

Irish Exporters Association Review of Budget 2012 Announced by the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan T.D. December 6th 2011

''Good Morning Colleagues,

You may have seen my commentary on RTE 6 and 9 o’clock News last night, when I stated this was one of the most export oriented Budgets in over a decade. The IEA have been lobbying the new Government since it was elected at the beginning of 2011 for a number of measures to increase export sales and job growth. Principles amongst the proposals put to Government were:

Announcing his expenditure estimates for 2012 today the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD said that despite the on-going serious difficulties in the public finances, today’s expenditure announcement was a strong statement of support for the agri-food sector and a recognition of the contribution which the sector can make to economic recovery and future growth in the Irish economy.

• Business cost base rising - Three out of four reporting increases over the past 12months. • Access to finance- Four out of five reporting no improvement since last year. • Bad debts have risen –with 52% of exporters affected. • Export Credit insurance still a problem- 87% of exporters believe there should be a government supported export credit insurance scheme. • High degrees of dissatisfaction with Government agencies grant application process. • Over 75% say that government red tape as having adverse impact on their business. • Nine out of ten exporters believe that there would be no benefit to the Irish economy from leaving the Eurozone.

As Irish food and drink exports approach a record €9 billion in 2011, the key contribution of Jameson Irish whiskey was recognised when it won the Bord Bia Food and Drink Export Award at a ceremony in Trinity College Dublin tonight (Tuesday 22nd). In 2010 the iconic brand passed a key milestone selling 3 million cases of whiskey globally and is set to reach 4 million cases by 2012. Meanwhile, Irish Distillers and Pernod Ricard are investing over €100 million in Ireland over the coming 3 years to sustain its rapid expansion.

Exporting Review and Opportunity for Exporters to Promote their Business

Monday, 21st November 2011 (Source: IEA)

The next in the Exporting Review series will be published by Whitespace and distributed with The Irish Independent on December 8th 2011. Reaching over 550,000 readers in print and published online on businessandleadership.com and on our own website, the series aims to raise the profile of export led businesses all over Ireland.

Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today addressed the Product Shelf life and Microbiological Criteria seminar in Dublin. The Minister pointed out that the agri-food sector is the largest indigenous industry in Ireland and is playing a key role in the recovery of the Irish economy.

Irish Exporters Feeling Chill Wind of Global Trade Downturn –Third Quarter Results Lead to Downward Revision for Full Year

Friday, 4th November 2011 Source: (IEA Press Release)

Sovereign debt issues across the Eurozone during the third quarter of this year have led to further business uncertainty and weakened consumer confidence globally. Irish exporters have been hard it in this global trade downturn and the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) has issued its Third Quarter Review of exports today (4.11.2011) in which it shows that total export sales growth grew by only 1.7% in the third quarter when compared to the same period last year.

Lucrative New Sales Agreement Leads to Jobs Growth and Ambitious 2012 Expansion Plan: One of Ireland’s most innovative food SMEs is set to launch its new range of wholesome ‘Real Meals’ at SuperValu and Centra outlets throughout the country.

It may not be the world cup, but Ireland have beaten the French in the European Championships (Fins Goustiers du Duché d'Alençon) this year. Entering for the first time, Truly Irish came home with awards for all three categories; White Pudding, Pork Sausage and Personalised Sausage. Grand Award of Excellence (Diploma/Cup) for Truly Irish Traditional White Pudding Grand Award of Honour (Diploma/Cup) for Truly Irish Hot Chilli Sausage Grand Award of Honour (Diploma/Cup) for Truly Irish Jumbo Sausage.

Wednesday, 28th September 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today extended his warmest congratulations to Helen Finnegan of Knockdrinna Farm House Cheese on winning the “Supreme Champion” award at the British Cheese Awards for its Kilree Goats cheese.

Coveney to Lead Trade Mission to Algeria. 'Significant Potential for Irish Agri-Food'.

Monday, 26th September 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture,Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, will travel to Algiers this weekend to meet his counterpart, Mr. Rachid Benaissa, the Algerian Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and to promote sales of Irish dairy and meat products.

Food and drink exports in 2011 are expected to reach a new all time high of €8.9 billion, an increase of more than 12%, or almost €1 billion, on 2010 levels. This follows growth of €700 million in 2010 leaving Ireland’s food exports in 2011 some 25% ahead of 2009 levels.

Meanwhile, against a backdrop of strong global demand and high prices, eight out of ten exporters surveyed by Bord Bia rate their prospects as improved or very improved compared with this time last year. The forecast and survey findings were issued today by Bord Bia on the opening day of the 80th National Ploughing Championships taking place in Athy, Co. Kildare.

The Brand Bursary is back once again for 2011 and will give Irish Food and Drink companies the opportunity to win €10,000 in packaging design.

With the increasing importance of the food and drink sector to the economy, and exports in particular, the panel are particularly interested in hearing from companies with their sights set on overseas markets.

As last year, the Brand Bursary is open to Irish brands both large and small and entries are now being accepted.

Last year’s winner, Deirdre Hilliard of Just Food has had a great year since relaunch. Working with The Vard Partnership, the Brand Bursary refocused Just Food with great results. Sales will double in 2011 with national listings and distribution in over 700 stores, along with exciting export opportunities.

The search is now on for our next winner.

For more information on the Brand Bursary, please click here. The closing date for entries is 7th October 2011.

Export Ireland Survey 2011 - Get Your Voice Heard!

Wednesday, 7th September 2011

The Irish Exporters Association is carrying out its annual Export Ireland Survey 2011, to research the performance, and measure the opinions and expectations of companies in Ireland in relation to export activities.

The survey will take approximately 20 minutes of your time to complete and is the principal method of collecting the information. The closing date to submit your input will be Friday September 30th 2011.

This IRBA Breakfast Briefing, sponsored by Investec, on the subject of 'Agri-food Exports to Russia' took place on the morning of Wednesday, 21st September 2011 at Investec's head office in The Harcourt Building, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. Speakers included James O'Donnell of Bord Bia; Pat Ward of the Irish Dairy Board and Joe Keeling of Keelings.

FoodCentral provides a catalyst for consolidation, collaboration and co-opetition to enhance competitive advantage for domestic and export markets.

A master plan for the development of FoodCentral, a 113 hectare food park located beside Dublin Airport has been prepared in consultation with Fingal County Council, following on from the zoning of the site as approved for food park development in the Fingal Co Council, County Development Plan 2011 – 2017. To read more click here.

IEA Submission to Minister for Transport, re proposed New Transport Strategy for 2011-2014

Wednesday, 10th August 2011 (Source: IEA)

The IEA has been requested by the Minister for Transport to make a submission regarding what the export industry would like to see in the Dept of Transport proposed Strategy 2011 –2014. To view full document of the IEA Submission, please click here to link to IEA website.

The Irish Exporters Association today (27th July) launched its annual report of the Top 250 Exporting Companies in Ireland, supported by Investec, one of Ireland’s leading specialist banking and asset managers. The report for 2011 graphically illustrates the significant role foreign direct investment (FDI) is playing in the Irish economy and shows that multinational companies which have invested heavily in Ireland to service the EU27 and other international markets now account for over 75% of total Irish exports.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today launched ‘Food Harvest 2020 Milestones for Growth’ his view of the journey and milestones which need to be reached to attain the eventual targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report. He emphasised his “wholehearted commitment to building on this good start and to making sure that the ambitious smart green growth vision in Food Harvest 2020 is realised”.

The quarterly IEA Food and Drink Council meeting will take place in Teagasc Ashtown on Wednesday August 10th. Click here to see agenda. We will be returning to the theme of cost competitiveness and how Ireland is performing. Dr Constantin Gurdgiev gave his views on this at the February meeting and it will be interesting to see if Grant Thornton share his views. We will also get an overview of Enterprise Ireland's Lean Business Offer which is very popular in the current climate with companies seeking a competitive advantage in every thing they do. Finally, we will hear from Investec about how companies can manage risk in the currency markets.

An Irish Exporters delegation met with Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar T.D. last week, to urge him to immediately address a number of transport issues affecting the cost and efficiency of exporting goods to overseas markets.

Please click here to access a copy of the memo sent to the Minister following the meeting on July 7th.

If you have any queries on the matters arising, please contact John Whelan, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association on tel: 01 661 2182 or email:
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Top 250 Exporters Publication Launch Event - Wednesday 27th July 2011

The Irish Exporters Association is delighted to invite you to the “ The Irish Exporters Association -Top 250 Exporters Publication” launch event.

Today (27th June 2011), the IEA announced that the successful development of a Craft Butcher export cluster , as part of it’s Channel Clusters programme with the global distribution partner, Scobie and Junor.

The successful food businesses in the cluster are ; Lawlors Butchers Ltd, Martin Carey Meats Ltd, Orielglen Trading Ltd, Hugh Maguire Ltd and Tuite’s Butchers Ltd. All are members of the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland (ACBI), which, in total, comprises over 500 members in Ireland.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today emphasised the “need for the development of a strong, recognisable, national brand for Irish food and food products.” Minister Coveney was opening the inaugural National Food and Agribusiness Summit at Croke Park, where he addressed the conference on a range of issues. The Minister presented a positive assessment of the prospects for the Irish food and agribusiness sector and referred to “Ireland’s competitive advantage, based on the country’s pre-existing global image of a ‘green’ island, as well as a sustainable, grass-based, year-round production system with its associated low-carbon footprint.”

Further Success for SMEs on Food and Drink Development Programme with Pallas foods

Friday, 10th June 2011(Source:IEA)

Today (10th June) the IEA announced that the latest cluster of five SME food companies on the Channel Clusters Development Programme, have achieved strong sales growth and listings with Ireland’s leading foodservice supplier, Pallas Foods.

Bloom, Bord Bia’s gardening, food and family festival finishes today and the fifth year of the event has been its most successful yet. Bloom attracted almost 90,000 visitors to the 70 acre site at the visitors centre in the Phoenix Park Dublin over the June Bank holiday weekend.

Friday, 3rd June 2011. (Source:Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine )

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today (Friday 3rd June 2011) announced the creation of 158 new jobs in the Seafood Processing Sector. The Processing Scheme provides state investment aimed at generating efficiencies in the processing sector. 18 companies have been approved for grant aid of €1.7 million representing a total investment of €7.4 million in the sector. The jobs will be created over a three year period.

Five Irish Food SMEs Achieve ‘Taste of Success’ on Channel Clusters Programme with PRM Group

Tuesday, 31st May 2011 (Source:IEA)

Today (31st May 2011), the IEA announced that the latest five food entrepreneurs, who recently completed an Irish Exporters Association (IEA) specialist food business training programme, have secured valuable new sales listings with the PRM Group – one of Ireland’s largest retail distributors. The successful food businesses were: Natasha’s Living Food, Coolattin Cheddar, Clinton Foods, Safa Food and Kush Shellfish.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today described the visit to Ireland by the Chinese Vice-Minister as “very successful” and confirmed that, as a result of the visit, the two Ministers were today signing “an action plan on mutual co-operation between the two countries in the agri-food and fisheries sectors.”

Bruton in bid to encourage new generation of high potential Irish start-ups through mentoring

Friday, 27th May 2011 (Source: Enterprise Ireland)

Enterprise Ireland is working with SuperValu to help entrepreneurial local companies take the first step to retail success. The programme has delivered €16m in sales for participants to date Friday, 27th May 2011 – Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, today launched the 2011 Enterprise Ireland SuperValu Supplier Development Programme. The programme will see ten young Irish food start-up companies receive customized training and one-on-one mentoring support.

Bord Bia’s Pathways for Growth Food & Drink Summit Friday May 27th 2011 The strong growth in Irish food and drink exports, which saw values increase by 11% in 2010, is continuing in 2011 with exports for the January to May period estimated to have increased by €400 million, or 13%, to total €3.44 billion. The new figures were released today at Bord Bia’s “Pathways for Growth Food & Drink Summit”, which took place at the UCD Smurfit School, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Terry O'Driscoll, Tax Partner with PwC, gave the May Council meeting a macroeconomic overview of the Tax landscape for Irish exporters. He started his presentation by covering the area of corporate tax. He stated that Ireland moved to a single Corporate tax rate for trading profits in the early 2000s, which is very attractive and gives Irish companies a lot of advantages.

Enterprise Ireland is calling on companies that are successfully trading in Ireland to apply for funding to explore the potential to export their services and internationalise their business. The competitive €1m 'Going Global Fund ' is specifically designed to support domestically-focused companies to explore and validate market opportunity in a new market or to introduce a new service or product to an existing market.

Exporters in First Quarter Show Very Strong Growth, But Risks Still Prevalent for Rest of Year

Thursday, 26th May 2011 (Source: IEA)

The Irish Exporters Association report a stronger that anticipated growth in exports in the first quarter of 2011, but warn of the risky international trading climate. Export growth of 9.4% was achieved in the first three months of the year, with a strong boost coming from exporters of merchandise goods who increased sales by 10.5%.

Finalysis Ireland Tells Council They Can Help Companies Save on Banking Fees

Wednesday, 25th May 2011 (Source: IEA)

Paul Murphy of Finalysis Ireland gave the May Council a presentation on this consultancy business which reviews companys' banking arrangements to find savings. Finalysis, he said, was set up 20 years ago and now has offices in London and South Africa and is staffed by former bankers, accountants and treasury specialists. It is geared to the Irish corporate market and their core market is companies with a minimum turnover of €20m. However they work with smaller companies too.

Further Success for IEA’s Channel Clusters Programme as five SMEs Get Listings with BWG

Monday, 23rd May 2011 (Source IEA)

Today (23rd May) the IEA announced the latest group of five food companies on the Channel Clusters Development Programme to have all achieved valuable listings with a major distributor were ; Kyles Kitchen (Wrapsu) Ltd, JM Foods Ltd; Dunhill Cuisine Ltd; McEvoy Family Foods Ltd and Stable Diet Ltd.

Monday, 23rd May 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine )

Speaking in Ballybay at Bank of Ireland Enterprise week event, the Minister of state at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee TD, stated that he was “encouraged by increasing recognition of the importance of agriculture and the agri-food sector”. He pointed out that the food sector is spread right throughout the country and as well as large multi national companies is comprised of hundreds of small and medium sized enterprises.

"Ummera Smoked Products and Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese, participants on the Irish Exporters Association's Channel Clusters Programme were both honoured by having their products served to Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Ireland.

State Banquet: Family Business Offers the Regal Taste of Premium Irish Seafood

Friday, 20th May 2011 (Source: Bullseye Food Marketing)

An acclaimed family-run CountyClare food business has proven that its premium smoked seafood is genuinely ‘fit for royalty’.

Award-winning artisan food producer, The Burren Smokehouse, is relishing the prestige of being selected to provide a platter of fine smoked Irish salmon delicacies, for the state dinner held to honour Queen Elizabeth II at DublinCastle.

The banquet, which took place at the castle’s St Patrick’s Hall on Wednesday evening (18th May), was one of the key events in the itinerary of the Queen’s historic state visit to Ireland.

Exclusively hand-smoked by Birgitta Curtin at her traditional smokehouse near Lisdoonvarna, and prepared for Her Majesty and state guests by distinguished Michelin-star chef, Ross Lewis, the platter included both Burren Smoked Irish Salmon and Clare Island Organic Irish salmon.

Owner-manager of The Burren Smokehouse, Birgitta Curtin, says it was an enormous thrill to hear that her smoked fish had been chosen for inclusion in the menu for this momentous state occasion.

Bord Bia's Noreen Lanigan Gives Progress Report on European Logistics Study to May Council Meeting

Thursday, 19th May 2011 (Source: IEA)

Noreen Lanigan of Bord Bia's Paris Office gave the IEA's Food and Drink Council an update on the European Logistics Optimization study at the quarterly meeting in Teagasc Ashtown on Wednesday May 11th. The study's main focus, she said, is applying best practice to Logistics and looking at economies of scale for Irish exporters to make us more competitive in the European context. She believes that their research indicates that at least €400 million per annum is spent on logistics by Irish food exporters and this amounts to 7% of export value. She said that in a best case scenario, 30% could be taken out of the costs of logistics through a mix of improving use of best practice and coopetition. In the more modest scenario, the saving would be 10%.

Coveney to Reiterate 'Continuing Concern at Pressure on Irish and European Pigmeat Producers’ at EU Agriculture Ministers Meeting

Monday, 16th May 2011 (Source: The Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD will tomorrow attend a meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels, at which Ministers will discuss a range of issues, including the conclusions of an EU Advisory Group on Pigmeat, the protection of animals during transport and the production of food to meet the world’s expanding population.

Food Companies Achieve Growth in Sales and Win New Business With La Rousse Foods.

Monday 9th May 2011 (Source IEA )

Participants on the Irish Exporters Association’s (IEA) Channel Clusters Development Programme are now on the road to success. The IEA have worked in partnership with La Rousse Foods to create a cluster to assist five Irish food processing companies to reach the necessary marketing standards to achieve product listing in the sector. To read the full Press Release, click here

The Agri-Food Sector Can Be a Flagship For Growth and Economic Recovery – Minister Simon Coveney

Thursday, 5th May 2011 (Source: Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Minister optimistic and confident of growth in Agri-Food sector as he publishes the Annual Outlook for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 2010/2011

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD today said that 2010 was a very positive year for the Irish agri-food sector, following two very difficult years for all concerned. “Export figures show that the sector exported produce worth €7.8bn, an increase of about 11% on 2009. The cereals sector had a particularly good year with output value of over €200m, an increase of over 88% on the previous year, while the dairy sector increased its exports by 17%. Aggregate farm income also increased, by 31.5%. This is all good news for the agri-food sector but also for the Irish economy as a whole”.

Tuesday, 3rd May 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Addressing Bord Bia Marketing Fellows yesterday at the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School, Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that the Fellowship Programme had been an outstanding success and the work of the Fellows was greatly appreciated by the food industry. At company level, graduates in the first Fellowship Programme had already generated almost €3m in actual sales. Read more….

Coveney Welcomes Seafoods Exports Boost

Tuesday, 3rd May 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Coveney Welcomes Seafoods Exports Boost on his Visit to the European Seafood Expo in Brussels.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD visited the 18 Irish seafood exporters exhibiting at the European Seafood Expo (ESE) in Brussels today. ESE is the world’s largest seafood fair, attracting buyers and sellers from over 140 countries, with over 1600 exhibitors in attendance….. read more

Deirdre Collins who created the Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy range of wholefood burgers is set to feature in the upcoming ‘Dragons’ Den on Tour’ series. Deirdre was a successful participant on the IEA’s Export Food and Drink Channel Clusters programme mentored by Conor Hyde of Bullseye. Deirdre also attended the IFE exhibition in London Docklands in March of this year with other Channel Cluster companies brought over by the IEA.

“ Food Partners is a family owned Irish Food Solutions business founded by Tom and Edward Brennan from West Cork. Food Partners specialises in the sourcing and supply of short shelf life quality chilled and ambient foods to the Irish market. As a result of our highly developed supply chain network and infrastructure along with our passion for ‘service excellence’ we can now offer Value Add service to indigenous Irish food producers seeking an assured pathway to export”

Minister of State McEntee Highlights Importance of Agriculture and Forestry Sectors in Meeting Renewable Energy Targets

Wednesday, 20th April 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

Speaking at the Teagasc National Bioenergy Conference in Tullamore today, Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Food, Food Safety and Horticulture emphasised the important contribution that the agriculture and forestry sectors have to play in meeting future renewable energy targets in Ireland.

Wednesday, 20th April 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

Industry Shares Minister’s “positive outlook for Ireland’s most important indigenous sector” - The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has chaired his first meeting of the High Level Implementation Committee on Food Harvest 2020 and restated his personal commitment to “driving forward the implementation phase to ensure that the targets are fully achieved and the potential of the agri-food and fishing sector is fully realised.”

Thursday, 14th April 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today said that “the Irish agri-food industry is well placed to meet the growing global demand for food, provided that it retains and improves its competitiveness.”

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, responding to the release of information from the IMF of the downward revision in Irish GDP growth for this year stated; ''Export businesses are also facing significant difficulties on international markets and are unlikely to contribute as strongly to Irish economic growth as originally forecast.

This week Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent whiskey distillery, continued its phenomenal strike rate on the international circuit by claiming 12 gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

‘New Positivity around Irish Agriculture and Food, Sector has Major Role to play in Driving Economic Recovery’ - Coveney

Friday, 25th March 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today spoke of his delight at being appointed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, given his ‘strong background and in interest in agriculture’. The Minister welcomed the ‘new positivity around agriculture and food and the increasing realisation about the role the sector can play in driving economic recovery’.

Kooky Dough, a Dublin firm that produces a range of cookie dough mixes for home baking and which last night featured on Dragon’s Den, has agreed a €550,000 deal to create two new Tesco own-brand lines for the supermarket’s stores in the UK and Ireland, it has been announced.

Food and Drink Export Ireland, a division of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), brought 10 Irish food producers to exhibit at IFE, in the ExCeL exhibition centre, in London, which is running from Sunday 13th until Wednesday 16th March 2011.